NOTES ON SOUTH AMERICAN CAREX (CYPERACEAE): C. CAMPTOGLOCHIN AND C. MICROGLOCHIN

Abstract

Carex microglochin (Cyperaceae), a member of Carex sect. Leucoglochin, is a bipolar species that, for the most part, occurs in the northern part of the Northern Hemisphere and in the Andean region of South America. A majority of past and present workers have treated the northern plants as subsp. microglochin, whereas the southern plants have been referred to subsp.  fuegina.  However, it is demonstrated in this paper that two closely-related yet taxonomically-distinct species, C. camptoglochin and C. microglochin, occur in South America, these differing both morphologically and ecologically. Regarding the South American distribution of these two species, it is documented below that: (1) C. microglochin occurs sporadically throughout nearly the full extent of the Andes; (2) C. microglochin and C. camptoglochin grow sympatrically in both the boreal and austral parts of South America; and (3) C.
camptoglochin occurs as a disjunct on the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).